Andre Fili has been doing this long enough that very little inside the UFC feels new anymore, but somehow the fire is still there.
As Fili gets ready to throw down with Kai Kamaka III on Saturday night, the longtime featherweight isn’t talking like somebody hanging around for a few more paychecks. He’s still obsessed with getting better, still loves fighting, and believes Kamaka is about to find out there’s a reason ‘Touchy’ is still here after all these years.
“I’m really excited to perform, to show what I’ve been working on, to show that I’m still growing even though I’ve been here for so long,” Fili told reporters on Wednesday.
“This is has been my home. I’ve gotten to grow up in this sport and in this company, but I’m still growing. I’m still getting better, I’m still learning, I think that’s what sets me apart. Still in love with this game.”
At this point in Fili’s career, fight week isn’t just about wins, rankings or whatever comes next. He’s still fired up to compete, but these days he’s just as grateful that he gets to beat people up for a living and then go home and be Dad.
“As far as emotions…excitement and really predominantly gratitude. I’m just grateful, life is beautiful, I wake up every day, I do what I love. I come home, I get to be a dad, and it doesn’t not get better than that,” he said.
Fili knows exactly what Kamaka is bringing on Saturday night, and he’s expecting this one to get nasty in a hurry. Two tough Hawaiians, neither dude interested in backing up, and Fili believes once they start throwing, he’s simply got more weapons to work with.
“It’s a great fight. He’s a tough Hawaiian kid, I’m a tough Hawaiian kid, we’re going to put on a fight. I think you guys know how that goes, right, we’re going to put on a show for you guys,” he said.
“I think he’s good everywhere, I think I’m better everywhere, and I’m going to go show that.”
Watch the entire media day scrum with Andre Fili above. He faces Kai Kamaka III at UFC Vegas 122 on Saturday night.